FIVE NEW CASINO’S COMING TO CHICAGO?

31May

The senate has passed the first round of votes for the “gambling expansion measure”, allowing Chicago to build riverboat casino’s without the “river”. If the new measure fully passes, casino’s would be able to open on dry land, throughout the city. The backing of Mayor Rahm Emanuel probably helped in passing the gambling expansion measure, SB 744, which narrowly passed the House with a 65-50 vote. It now goes to Governor Quinn, who can accept or amend the ruling.

The bill was amended to five casino’s, which would be located throughout the Chicagoland area including, Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Park City and an unidentified location, in the south suburbs. The measure would still allow for the future expansion to nine casino’s, as well as the installation of slot machines at seven horse-race tracks.

State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said revenue could help the state pay off some of its $8 billion deficit.
He then went on to say, “Altogether this bill will raise $1.5 billion in up-front revenue for the state of Illinois from these licensing fees, all of which are going to the unpaid bills of our state”.

While some still oppose the bill, suggesting people will spend money at the casino’s reducing the amount spent on restaurants and shopping, others believe the 10,000 additional jobs is worth the “gamble”.

What do you think? Have Indiana riverboats been taking money out of Illinois pockets for all these years? Does Chicago need casino’s?